Hi Matt and Mary


Portsmouth versus formula/one design are alternative policy choices that a club makes for a regatta and for their region's racing schedule. It is one of the things that we have control of. I believe that this choice affects the long-term growth of the sport of cat racing. I respect everyone's opinion about what they like, however I agree with Matt that this is not the debate. Which is " What program decision by your fleet will grow the sport?".

With respect to who we are targeting for growth:
A new racer could care less about these details, (so long as they feel that they fit in and have a chance of success). Returning racers would love to recreate the good ol days but are in for a shock at the changes that time has wrought around the country. In either case, the policy's we implement as fleets matter if we hope to get these folks into the game.

Mary states that there is a broad consensus about Portsmouth racing growing fleet participation and points to CRAB and OCRA as groups that have successfully reversed the decline. However, I certainly don't see such a consensus or see that it's reflected in the regattas that are run in much of the country. In fact the poll is running at just 60 /40 in favor of Portsmouth/Catfight/OCRA... A strong result favoring Portsmouth but certainly not a consensus.

We face a bit of a paradox.... IF one class grows (or remains strong) and segregates off as a separate racing group E.G. F18HT's ... the similar boats in their region e.g. I20's are left with too few boats to race against and so they soon stop racing.

The policy that your fleet implements address the paradox.
If your policy favor's one design/formula racing... then the I20 racers will be forced to change boats to play and join the HT racers or limp along with a couple of boats in the "all but dead class".
(Most of the time they would not meet a reasonable threshold of 7 boats for a start in organizations like CBYRA.)

The alternative policy is that you race them together ala OCRA/Catfight,

Mary has nicely stated my argument favoring changes to events like Tradewinds, and Spring Fever and the many regional regattas that we run as well as her personal evaluation of the limitations inherent in a OCRA/ Catfight format.

Its True that scoring is more work... It’s not true that it’s overwhelming. CBYRA regattas score 150 yachts on finish time using PHRF. Our current software, Sailwave can manage the job quite nicely.

It's true that the racing game is different when you compete in two classes simultaneously. It is not the same as one design. For her, it’s confusing and not worthwhile. Many others disagree and I point to the Catfight regatta that seems to be increasing in participation year after year. Mike Fahle's summary of the positives that OCRA has realized balance Mary's issue with... "Just whom are you racing" and her opinion that "tactics are completely lost" which was debated by others in this thread.

Where does your fleet stand and what are the reasons for your policy?

Most importantly, No matter what, Please make sure your fleet clearly spells out how you will organize the racing. I quoted the example from CBYRA race week. "7 boats pre registered by X or you are in a Portsmouth division” Clarity is crucial in this game. You know what to expect if you commit the time and money to go racing in this event. NOR's that list classes for every Hobie ever made with no realistic hope for ever getting an adequate turnout plus open class simply perpetuate 4 boat racing classes with 3 deep in trophies. Mary clearly stated her preference... 3 of anything is better then 15 on Portsmouth /OCRA /Catfight.

What's your fleet's choice? What would you like to see for next year?

Comments welcome!

Take Care
Mark